Motion-activated electrical switch
A motion-activated electrical switch has a pair of spaced electrical circuits, each disposed on a support, and an electrical conductor interposed between spaced from and electrically insulated from the electrical circuits. An electrically conductive movable element is structured to assume a first position in contact with the electrical conductor and one of the electrical circuits and a second position out of contact with the electrical circuit is provided along with a power supply for energizing the switch. In one embodiment, the electrical conductor is a closed shape having an opening defined therethrough. A pair of conductive strips may be connected to the electrical conductor and to one of the electrical circuits such that movement of the electrically conducted movable element may serve to complete the circuit or to break the circuit.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motion-activated electrical switch and, specifically, one which does not require the use of a flowable, electrically conductive material, such as mercury.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has been known for many years to employ various types of electrical switches which are structured to move between an “off” position wherein the electrical circuit is not complete and one or more “on” positions wherein the electrical circuit is complete, thereby permitting electrical energy to energize whatever article or appliance is to receive the electrical energy, when desired.
Among the known electrical switches are mechanical switches, which move a conductive element into and out of physical contact with other switch components to achieve switch open and switch closed positions.
It has also been known to employ mercury in switches wherein in one position the mercury is located in an “off” position as a result of the lack of continuous electrical contact. In another position generally achieved by tilting the switch so as to cause the mercury to flow to a different position wherein the electrical circuit is complete, the switch is in the “on” position. One of the major problems with mercury is that it has been recognized as a hazardous material. For example, the European Union Directive 2002/95/EC entitled “Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)” restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment sold or used in the European Union after Jul. 1, 2006. Mercury is among the materials listed within this category.
There remains, therefore, a very real and substantial need for an improved electrical switch which is activated by motion and avoids the use of hazardous materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention has met the hereinbefore described need. The present invention does provide a motion-activated electrical switch which has a pair of spaced electrical circuits disposed on supports and an electrical conductor interposed between an electrically insulated portion from the spaced electrical circuits. An electrically conductive movable element is structured to assume a first position in contact with said electrical conductor and a said electrical circuit and a second position out of contact with said electrical conductor. An internal power supply may be provided for energizing the switch. Otherwise, power is provided from an external source.
Movement of the movable conductor serves to establish a switch open or switch closed position.
The electrical conductor has an opening within which the electrically conductive movable element, which may be in the form of a rollable element, is positioned.
The switch assembly may be mounted on a base which is securable to an electrical appliance or lamp or other item to be energized.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient, economical, motion-activated electrical switch which will function regardless of switch orientation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a switch which does not require use of hazardous materials, such as mercury.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a switch which employs printed circuit technology and may be provided as a very thin switch.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a switch which will economically, structurally and functionally be suitable for a wide range of uses.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a switch which enables the use of reduced power consumption.
These and other objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the invention on reference to the illustrations appended hereto.
Referring now in greater detail to
Referring to
As shown in
A movable electrically conductive element 90 in a preferred form will be of generally spherical shape, but other shapes permitting free movement may be employed. When the element 90 is in contact with both the electrical conductor 44 and, in the form shown, the electrical circuit on second support 66, this will complete the circuit, thereby permitting energy to flow therethrough to the two conductors 10 and 12 (not shown in this view) to the lamp or other element 12 (
Referring to
Referring in greater detail to the electrically conductive circuit elements as shown in
It will be appreciated that the printed circuit shown in
Referring to
Referring to
In this embodiment of the invention, a power source, which in the form shown is a battery 196, is positioned within the assembly and is in electrical contact with both the electrical circuits positioned respectively on upper support 128 and lower support 166. The battery may be a 3-volt Lithium Polyer or 3-volt lithium battery, for example. As an alternate power source, if desired, a solar collector may be employed to energize the system. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the height H (
The annular electrical conductor 44, 144 may be composed of any suitable material, such as copper, aluminum or a conductive carbon pill, for example. Also, the electrically conductive trace in the circuits may be composed of silver, copper with gold flash, tin silver flash, tin nickel flash, carbon or aluminum, for example. The annular electrical conductor 44, 144 may be of unitary construction or, if desired, could be an assembly of a plurality of annular electrically conductive vertically stacked washer-like elements secured together by an electrically conductive adhesive, such as electrically conductive epoxy, for example. Such an adhesive may also be employed to enhance securement and electrical conductivity between annular electrical conductor 44, 144 and the adjacent electrically conductive portions of surfaces 42, 68, 130, 168, respectively.
It will be appreciated that the present invention provides for a movable switch assembly which does require the use of mercury or other hazardous materials. It contemplates a movable electrically conductive element being in contact with one of two electrical circuits with the switch being placed in the “on” position when the movable element also contacts an electrical conductor such as a conductive ring. The invention also provides for movement of the switch to result in cyclic on and off changes in the switch resulting in on and off actuation of a source of illumination such as an LED or lamp, sound such as a buzzer or operation of another electrically energized device. The invention also provides for movement of the switch to result in the responsive stimulation of subsequent events that are desired to occur upon detection of movement. These subsequent events may be determined based on the nature and function of the specific devices.
The invention may be employed in a wide variety of uses where its small size, lower power consumption and low cost of manufacture would be beneficial. For example, it may be worn on clothing, employed in toys and used in safety devices. In addition to uses on clothing for safety or other purposes, it will be appreciated that the switch may be employed to illuminate LED's or other lamps or energize other alarm-type systems, the switch being secured to physical articles such as backpacks, briefcases, luggage, bicycles and other articles where for safety or other reasons, the small, thin, low-energy switch of the present invention could be advantageously employed.
Whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details may be made without departing from the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A motion-activated electrical switch comprising
- a pair of spaced electrical circuits disposed on supports,
- an electrical conductor interposed between and electrically insulated from said spaced electrical circuits,
- an electrically conductive movable element structured to assume a first position in contact with an electrically conductive portion of one of said electrical circuits, and a second position in contact with an electrically insulated portion of said one of said electrical circuits, and
- a power supply for energizing said switch, whereby movement of said switch will effect electrical continuity between said electrically conductive movable element, said electrical conductor and said one of said electrical circuits when said electrically conductive movable element is in said first position and will effect a discontinuous circuit when said electrically conducted movable element is in said second position.
2. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 1 including
- said electrical circuits being printed circuits.
3. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 1 including
- said spaced electrical circuits being structured to permit the switch to function regardless of switch orientation.
4. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 1 including
- said electrical conductor being a closed member defining an opening therethrough.
5. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 4 including
- said electrical conductor being generally ring-shaped.
6. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 5 including
- said ring having an opening-defining surface which is generally radially inwardly convex.
7. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 1 including
- a first pair of elongated, electrically conductive strips, and
- one of said electrically conducted strips being secured to a first of said electrical circuits, and
- a second of said strips secured to said electrical conductor.
8. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 7 including
- a second pair of electrically conductive strips having a third of said electrical strips secured to the other of said electrical circuits, and
- a fourth of said electrically conducted strips secured to said electrical conductor.
9. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 1 including
- said electrical circuits and said conductor being secured within a housing to establish a unitary switch structure.
10. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 9 including
- a switch-supporting base, and
- said unitary switch structure being fixedly secured to said base.
11. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 10 including
- a pressure-sensitive adhesive secured to said base for attaching said base to an object or structure.
12. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 1 including
- a power source operatively associated with said electrical switch.
13. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 12 including
- said power source being a battery.
14. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 13 including
- said battery being secured to said switch.
15. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 1 including
- said electrical circuit supports being secured to electrically insulative spacers disposed on opposite sides of said electrical conductor.
16. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 15 including
- said supports being secured to said spacers by an adhesive.
17. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 1 including
- said electrical conductor being of unitary construction.
18. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 1 including
- a first electrically conductive strip secured to a first of said circuits, and
- a second electrically conductive strip secured to said electrical conductor, whereby electrically connecting said first circuit with said electrical conductor will complete an electrical circuit.
19. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 18 including
- a third electrically conductive strip secured to a second of said electrical circuits, and
- a fourth electrically conductive strip electrically connected to said electrical conductor, whereby electrically connecting said first circuit with said electrical conductor will complete an electrical circuit.
20. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 19 including
- a base having a pressure-sensitive adhesive secured to one side thereof for securing said base to an object or structure.
21. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 19 including
- a base having an opening therein for securing said base to an object or structure.
22. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 1 including
- said electrical circuits having portions with an electrically conductive printed circuit and portions which are electrically insulative, and
- said switch being so structured as to effect contact between said electrically conductive movable element, said electrical conductor and either of said spaced electrical circuits in order to complete said electrical circuit.
23. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 22 including
- said electrically conductive portions having a plurality of generally radially projecting portions disposed within said electrical circuits and said electrically insulative portions being interposed between adjacent ones of said electrically conductive portions.
24. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 23 including
- said electrically conductive portions being made of a printed circuit composed of a material selected from the group consisting of silver, copper with gold flash, tin silver flash, tin nickel flash and aluminum.
25. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 1 including
- said electrically conductive movable element being of generally spherical configuration.
26. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 25 including
- said electrically conductive movable element having a diameter less than the spacing between a first of said electrical circuits and a second said electrical circuit.
27. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 1 including
- a timer operatively associated with said switch for controlling a period of operation of said switch.
28. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 23 including
- said electrically conductive movable element being of generally spherical configuration and having a diameter more than double the spacing between the inner diameter of said electrical conductor and the outer diameter of the radially projecting portions of said electrical circuits.
29. The motion-activated electrical switch of claim 1 including said electrical conductor being an assembly of annular electrically conductive portions secured to each other by an electrically conductive adhesive.
Type: Grant
Filed: Aug 24, 2006
Date of Patent: Jan 1, 2008
Assignee: Dawar Technologies (Pittsburgh, PA)
Inventors: Peter W. Jarzynka (Pittsburgh, PA), H. Gene Baumgarten (Pittsburgh, PA)
Primary Examiner: Michael Friedhofer
Attorney: Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC
Application Number: 11/466,938
International Classification: H01H 35/14 (20060101);